Zikula Community

• Slugger
  
  

  • Rank: Expert
  • Registered: Mar 11, 2003
  • Last visit: Oct 21, 2009
  • Posts: 1104

  Posted: Jun 20, 2005 - 03:25 PM

  I'm moving and need to find an ISP for my home. I was thinking of going with Verizon DSL but am having second thoughts after dealing with their sales reps.
  
  I can't imagine they'll treat me very well as an existing DSL customer when this is how they handle prospective new business! This is all made worse because this is my second bad taste of Verizon this week.
  
  I got the same poor treatment when I attempted to purchase a PDA/phone for one of my Verizon wireless accounts. The person didn't know if they had them yet (even though I assured her they do) and was too embarrassed to call anyone for help. Her excuse was laughable. She told me she's the manager and doesn't normally handle sales. I left completely befuddled figuring at least I didn't have to re-sign with them.
  
  I'm amazed. Verizon has got to have the crappiest customer service on earth...bar none. I can't imagine how much business this is costing them. I can't understand why they don't train their sales people but I'm so fed up with them, I'm now checking out VOIP!
  
  Any thoughts? DSL and pray I never have to deal with a <cringe> Verizon </cringe> rep again, or go cable? Anybody have VOIP? As for the wireless service, being month to month with no contract is beginning to sound pretty good!

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• MACscr
  
  

  • Rank: Expert
  • Registered: Dec 31, 1969
  • Last visit: Oct 21, 2009
  • Posts: 1437

  Posted: Jun 20, 2005 - 06:23 PM

  I work for an SBC distributor, so Im biased. Im not a big fan of Verizon either. I will admit that in a few areas of the country though, they have some amazing packages that will give u something like 1.5 upload and 10 download for like $50 a month. Its nuts.
  
  Im a Project Manager/Lead Engineer (not really an engineer though) for a telecom firm that designs, builds, and maintains computer and phone networks for businesses.
  
  I have a 6mb/608k ADSL Dynamic package from SBC for $45 a month. Im pretty happy with that price and package. I have one POTS line with SBC (of course thats just for the DSL) and 3 VOIP lines from Vonage, which Im really happy with.
  
  To bad SBC isnt your local phone company as you can some great packages with them and i u switch to cingular, and your a SBC customer with DSL, you get 20% off your monthly cell phone bill. Plus they have a fast data network for their phones. Im hoping to get a Treo 650 sometime later this year, but unfortunately cingular is just moving to my area, so i have to wait.
  
  Now when you mention VOIP, wireless service, and no contract. Im starting to get lost. I dont know any VOIP provider that works like a cell phone (coverage wise). I know of the ones that work at hotspots, but thats about it.

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• Slugger
  
  

  • Rank: Expert
  • Registered: Mar 11, 2003
  • Last visit: Oct 21, 2009
  • Posts: 1104

  Posted: Jun 21, 2005 - 02:48 AM

  Hi!...LOL, now you know what my email was about. This kind of stuff just eats up your days.
  
  

  MACscr

  I have a 6mb/608k ADSL Dynamic package from SBC for $45 a month...

  
  
  At this rate, I may have a tin can with a string. :(
  
  

  MACscr

  Im hoping to get a Treo 650 sometime later this year...

  
  
  That's what I was trying to buy before the sales manager from hell put the kabosh on my plans.
  
  

  MACscr

  Now when you mention VOIP, wireless service, and no contract. Im starting to get lost.

  
  
  Sorry 'bout that, I could have written that better. I was referring to the Wireless contract. I got "released" from my first 2-year "sentence" in February. I was going to agree to another 2-years with the purchase of the Treo....that's what I was talking about.
  
  

  MACscr

  I dont know any VOIP provider that works like a cell phone (coverage wise). I know of the ones that work at hotspots, but thats about it.

  
  
  Now it's my turn to be confused. Shouldn't any VOIP provider give you service from a hotspot? That is, if you can connect to the Internet (i.e. from a laptop). While not wireless service per se, Vonage offers "follow-me" service to allow you to forward you calls to any phone, including a cell phone but I don't think that's what you were talking about.
  
  Still you've got me re-thinking the two line thing. Perhaps a single regular line with VOIP for the second, like you do makes more sense. If it weren't for 911 and our alarm systme, I'd get VOIP via cable and kiss Verizon goodbye. That's what I'd love to do. :twisted:
  
  For another $9.99/month Vonage offers an additional FAX line so really that's like two more lines for about what I am paying per line. The Vonage FAX line works with standard FAX hardware/software, so that's no issue; but what about the phones...surely some are better than others...any advice on that front?
  
  Slugger

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• MACscr
  
  

  • Rank: Expert
  • Registered: Dec 31, 1969
  • Last visit: Oct 21, 2009
  • Posts: 1437

  Posted: Jun 21, 2005 - 11:32 AM

  Vonage works with any phones, but i recommend ones with a caller id display as that is a service they provide for free. As far as 911, they are the only VOIP provider that I know of that already has a setup for 911. Now as far as hotspots, I was refering to VOIP enabled portable phones. Example: http://www.vonage.co…e5n1e18vp9o5282892v Of course if you have a wireless adapter and a laptops would work at hotspots too.
  
  There are counless reasons I can give for getting DSL over cable, but the provider themselves and the type of package available to your location is a major key to that decision as well. If you want, you can PM me your info (address, phone number, etc) and I can see what i can find out for you.
  
  Anyway, good luck on your move and your commo decisions. =P

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• **unknown user**
  
  

  • Rank: Senior
  • Registered: Mar 16, 2002
  • Last visit: Oct 21, 2009
  • Posts: 2330

  Posted: Jun 22, 2005 - 05:42 AM

  I've used Verizon's DSL for several years now and never had any trouble. I did the "self-setup" and never had to deal with anyone after getting the modem (via USPS.) My plan is $30/mo. for an 768 upstream and a 1.5Mb downstream. Not the greatest deal, but connectivity and stream is spot on...

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• **unknown user**
  
  

  • Rank: Helper
  • Registered: Mar 16, 2002
  • Last visit: Oct 21, 2009
  • Posts: 877

  Posted: Jun 22, 2005 - 11:36 PM

  Verizon is the predominant DSL provider in my area. Everyone I know that has Verizon hates it. I went with 900 mhz wireless. I've had it for two years and I couldn't be happier.

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• **unknown user**
  

  • Registered: Mar 16, 2002
  • Last visit: Oct 21, 2009
  • Posts: 1097

  Posted: Jun 22, 2005 - 11:44 PM

  Hehe... I'm on 20/2 for 30€ + TV + Phone... (Free - Iliad)... For once... in France we're not that late compared to others. :)

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• Slugger
  
  

  • Rank: Expert
  • Registered: Mar 11, 2003
  • Last visit: Oct 21, 2009
  • Posts: 1104

  Posted: Jun 23, 2005 - 05:04 PM

  

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